The Narcotics Control Bureau (NCB) of Mumbai recently foiled three major smuggling bids leading to a seizure of 1.840 kg of Alprazolam (15,000 tabs), 9,696 Codeine-Based Cough Syrup (CBCS) bottles (850 kg) and four arrests.
OPERATION 1
The NCB Mumbai had gathered credible intelligence about a network, which was involved in export of illicitly diverted pharma based medicines for recreational purpose from India to USA. Active digital surveillance and other methods were employed to identify the target network. Soon, a Lucknow-based network was identified, which was reported to have recently completed a deal of illicitly diverted pharma drugs to USA and was scheduling another shipment. Accordingly, enhanced sources were utilized which led to tracking of a shipment at a courier facility in Mumbai which was about to be shipped out to USA.
The NCB team intercepted the shipment from the Mumbai-based courier office on September 6. On opening the shipment, a packed branded tea leaf box was found. When opened, it contained multiple strips of Alprazolam tablets. The shipment had 1,000 strips containing a total of 15,000 Alprazolam tablets.
During investigation, Lucknow-based Samar S was found to be associated with the network. After days of rigorous on-field surveillance and data analysis, Samar S was intercepted and brought to NCB-Mumbai office. It was found that the members of this network were heavily depending on ‘no-digital contact’ method to evade the agencies. Investigation to find other crucial members is underway.
OPERATION 2
Initial information was gathered wherein an interstate syndicate was involved in procurement of illicitly diverted cough syrups and further distribution in Mumbai and adjoining areas. Accordingly, intelligence sources were geared up along with technical surveillance which soon led to identification of a Bhiwandi- based person named Ravish NA. Soon, it was learnt that a consignment was being provided by a Gujarat-based person. Accordingly, strict alert was maintained which later led to generation of input wherein a bulk consignment was to be transported into Mumbai. Further intelligence led to identification of the consignment details and a transporter company at Bhiwandi Industrial Area. On inspection, the consignment was found to be of 75 cartons containing total of 8497 CBCS bottles.
On September 28, Ravish NA and his carrier, Akash G, arrived at the transporter office to receive the consignment. They were arrested. Ravish is an employee of the Bhiwandi-Nijampur Municipal Corporation. During investigation, it was noticed that Ravish was trying to re-establish the drug trafficking circuit which was snapped after a previous CBCS seizure by NCB Mumbai.
OPERATION 3
Initial information showed Mumbai-based network was procuring illicitly diverted cough syrups from an interstate syndicate for further distribution in Mumbai and adjoining areas. Accordingly, sources were contacted to generate further information which led to identification of a Gujarat-based supplier who was engaged with a Mumbai-based person. Later, identity of the receiver was obtained. Soon, information was gathered about a consignment which led to a transporter company in Dongri area of Mumbai. Scrutiny of the consignment led to identification of 10 cartons of CBCS.
On October 3, the NCB Mumbai team intercepted Riyaz B, who confessed to his involvement. When the cartons were opened, a total of 1199 CBCS bottles (119.9 kg) were recovered. The contraband was seized and Riyaz B was taken to NCB Mumbai office for further questioning. Riyaz B has been in the business for the past seven-eight years and was associated with Mumbai-based kingpins and other drug peddlers.
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